Buddhism, The Bhuddha, Dhamma, & Sangha 
Basic Introduction to Bhuddhist thought and Practise


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Buddhism is arguably not a Religion as such; rather a philosophy of life.
What is known in the present Day as Buddhism, started of course about 2550 years ago,with the appearance of a sage known as Siddhattha Gotama, otherwise known as the Buddha Sakyamuni.
Buddha, or Buddho can be roughly translated as "The Awakened one".
Siddhattha Gotama in Pali (or Siddhartha Gautama in Sanskrit), was born in Lumbini in Nepal, roughly between the years 400 and 480 BC.
He was the son of a powerful member of his clan and held the approximate status of a prince. He lived in his father's palace protected and oblivious to the sufferings that were at large in the wide world.
At the age of twenty-nine, he decided to leave the palace, his life of pleasure and comfort, and become an Ascetic, in order to find the solution to end all suffering. He studied under several famous Yogis for many Years until he became tired of the Hindu caste system and the principles of Indian ascetism and left the group, consquently losing all his followers too.
Instead he continued his search for truth through the practise of meditation.
Eventually, he reached the realisation of Enlightenment During a short period of time, Buddha established a reputation in western Hindustan by converting thousands of people to the Dhamma


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The Practise of Dhamma is the way of life, and looking at life that is practised by Bhuddhists.
Dhamma/Bhuddhism, is the basically practise of "Mindfulness" (trying to be constantly aware). Mindfulness of ones actions, thoughts and reactions/feelings, along with meditative practise to increase the quality of mindfulness, leads to Insight. Insight removes suffering by recognizing the causes/roots of our sufferings (craving). The basic practise of the Good Bhuddhist is the "Eightfold Path". The Eightfold Path is considered a perfect and complete system to attain liberation from suffering and it's causes and reach Nibbana (Enlightenment). The only problem is, that is extremely difficult to maintain awareness/mindfulness of one's thoughts speech and actions without losing one's attention with all the outer distractions.
Dharma Thai Ramakian section - Thai Buddhism

In order to maintain "Mindfulness" on a constant level, it is considered necessary to practise "Vipassana" and "Samatha" meditation, which leads to increased concentration, awareness and perception of the self and its inner workings, as well as the outer phenomaena of the outside world.The practise of Vipassana meditation Techinques (known in Thailand as the 40 gamatan methods), leads to this state of Mindfulness.

A properly practising Bhuddhist keeps "Sila" (Precepts) - One can maintain the 5 basic precepts, or Eight on holy days. More serious Practitioners may take 8 or 10 Precepts. A Bhuddhist Monk adheres to a total of 227 rules or precepts, which are finer extensions of the 8 precepts.

Before recital of the 5 precepts one must Chant:
NAMO  TASSA  BHAGAVATO  ARAHATO  SAMMA  SAMBUDDHASSA (X3)

The Five Precepts:

1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
5. Suramerayamajja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which       lead to carelessness.

These Precepts are recited daily (as well as practised), but should be preceded by the prayer of refuge in the threefold gem of Bhuddha, Dharma and Sangha*

  • Buddham saranam gacchami - I go to the Buddha for refuge.
  • Dhammam saranam gacchami - I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
  • Sangham saranam gacchami - I go to the Sangha for refuge.
  • Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami - For a second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
  • Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami - For a second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
  • Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami -  For a second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.
  • Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami - For a third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
  • Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami - For a third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
  • Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami - For a third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.



The basic principle foundation of Bhuddhist thought are known as the "Four Noble truths" which was the first revelation received by Bhuddha Sakyamuni.

The Four Noble Truths are;
1.The Nature of Suffering (Dukkha). Suffering is real, all Sentient beings suffer in one way or another.
2.Suffering's Origin (Samudaya). If Suffering exists, then it must have a cause - that cause is craving, attachment and ignorance
3.Suffering's Cessation (Nirodha). If there is a beginning to suffering, it must also have an end (called Nirodha - the extinguishing)
4.The way to end  Suffering (Maka). The way to end Suffering is the Eightfold Path as explained by the Lord Bhuddha.
These 4 Truths can be likened to the following;

  1. Diagnosis of an illness
  2. Prognosis for the illness
  3. Recovery thereof
  4. Medicine to cure the disease


The Eightfold Path
The eightfold path consists of the practise of ;
Right Speech, Right Action, Right View, Right Intention,Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Midnfulness, Right Concentration.


What is Dhamma?
The Dhamma is the doctrine, or Teaching, way, of the Bhuddha.
 Dhamma also means "nature" or "the way things really are". The Dhamma is a path of practise that leads to wisdom and liberation from suffering. One's understanding of Dhamma becomes ever deeper and profound as one advances along the path, old lessons revealing new truths as one develops deeper insight and understanding of Dhamma;
"Just as the ocean has a gradual shelf, a gradual slope, a gradual inclination, with a sudden drop-off only after a long stretch, in the same way this Doctrine and Discipline (dhamma-vinaya) has a gradual training, a gradual performance, a gradual progression, with a penetration to gnosis only after a long stretch".

The basic gist of practising Dhamma is to Mindfully practise meditation, learn and teach Dhamma as one has understood it, and combine it with the moral principles of Sila (precepts), and to use these tools to live accosrding to the principles of the Noble Eightfold Path..

Other Essential concepts of the practise that are crucial to a deeper understanding of the way that conditional existence is, are;
The law of interdependent origination, The Five Khandas, & Tilakkana


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